News

June 8, 2000

LOTTO CONTINUES ITS ASCENT

The Missouri Lotto jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing has rolled once again to a record high: $19 million. This is the highest Lotto jackpot ever offered in the Missouri Lottery’s 14-year history.
"Players should always remember to play within their means," said Gary Gonder, director of communications for the Missouri Lottery. "It only takes $1 to win."
The largest Lotto jackpot claimed to date was a $14.6 million jackpot won by a St. Louis man in May 1989. The last time someone won a Missouri Lotto jackpot was Nov. 24, 1999, for an estimated $2.5 million.
Lotto jackpot winners have 60 days after the drawing to decide if they would like to receive their prize in one cash payment - usually an amount worth about half of the advertised jackpot - or distributed in 25 annual payments. Saturday’s jackpot would be worth an estimated $9.5 million before taxes, if taken in one cash payment.
To play Missouri Lotto, players pick six numbers between 1 and 44. The cost is $1 for two plays (sets of six numbers). Players have until 6:45 p.m. Saturday to purchase Lotto tickets.
Lotto sales in Missouri began on Oct. 1, 1986.